Sex convictions send Elkin man to jail for 16+ years

DOBSON — An Elkin man will spend a minimum of 16 years in prison following his conviction Thursday on several sex crimes committed against a minor.

Ronald Anderson Winters, 35, was charged with four B1 felony counts, including statutory rape or sexual offense of a person who is 13, 14, or 15 years old, as well as two counts of the class F felony taking indecent liberties with children. In North Carolina, a B1 felony is the second most serious.

He pleaded guilty to all six counts in the Superior Court hearing.

Assistant District Attorney Mark Miller told the court that an act of sexual violence had been witnessed by a family member of the victim on Nov. 11, 2015.

During interviews with law enforcement, Winters had indicated he was “training” the victim “in the ways of sex,” Miller stated, declining to go into more graphic details in open court.

The dates of offenses ranged from July 1, 2015 to Nov. 11, 2015, according to court documents.

“The victim is present and satisfied with the plea,” Miller said.

Ann Whitehurst, defense attorney, said little during the hearing, noting that Winters also had support present in the courtroom.

“He’s been fully cooperative and accepts responsibility for his actions,” Whitehurst said.

Presiding Judge Eric Morgan, of Forsyth County, gave the defendant an active sentence of 192 to 291 months

The judge also found that Morgan will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and to enroll in satellite-based monitoring for five years following his release from prison.

Winters has four felony charges pending in Yadkin County that include first-degree rape, taking indecent liberties with children and crime against nature.

He is scheduled to appear in court on those matters on Feb. 8, 2017.

Sexual assault and domestic violence information

The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached at 800-656-HOPE or online.rainn.org.

The Surry County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault crisis line is 336-356-2014.

According to information provided by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network:

• Fifty-five percent of sexual assaults occurred at or near the victim’s home.

• Three out of four rapes are committed by someone known to the victim.

• Two out of every three sexual assaults go unreported to police.

• One out of every six American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime.